Mets look to callups to keep 'pen functioning

MIAMI -- Some teams look to September callups as a chance to give their bullpens much-needed breaks. The Mets looked at their 2014 callups simply as a way to keep their fractured bullpen intact.

With both Josh Edgin and Daisuke Matsuzaka back in New York nursing injuries, the Mets are using their small influx of pitching -- right-hander Erik Goeddel and lefty Dario Alvarez -- to avoid leaning too heavily on Jeurys Familia, Jenrry Mejia and their other healthy bullpen arms.

"We've still got basically seven guys in the bullpen," manager Terry Collins said. "It's not like we've got a lot of guys down there. But make no mistake ... they're the guys who are going to pitch. Those are the guys who are going to pitch when the game's on the line with a lead."

Edgin, who received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his sore left elbow on Aug. 25, has not responded to the procedure as the team had hoped. He will visit with doctors in New York this week before the Mets decide their next move.

Matsuzaka had trouble warming up in the bullpen over the weekend and will also see doctors in New York. Because rosters are now expanded beyond 25 men, the Mets did not need to place either pitcher on the DL.

Collins understands why Colon drew few calls

MIAMI -- Terry Collins may not have expected such a scant number of teams to check in on starter Bartolo Colon prior to Sunday's waiver trade deadline, but the manager was unsurprised to learn that Colon would ultimately remain with the Mets.

"I've been there before, where we've had players who everybody's talking about them, talking about them, and nothing ever comes about," Collins said a day after the deadline passed. "A lot of times, the asking price is what some teams don't want to pay. I'm not surprised that he's still here."

Colon, who is due $11 million next year, is 12-11 with a 4.01 ERA in his age-41 season. General manager Sandy Alderson has spoken openly of shopping the right-hander over the winter, though that is also far from a guarantee. If the league's recent lack of interest in Colon is any indication of the future market for his services, the Mets could simply hold on to him until his contract expires.

"To be honest, you're sitting here watching the MLB Network -- where everybody's struggling, a lot of these teams are struggling for starting pitching -- and we've got a guy who's had a pretty good year," Collins said. "But nobody came crazy to knock the door down to help themselves out. I was a little surprised that there wasn't a little more activity. But I'm happy he's still here."

With Colon now a Met for the rest of the season, the team may temporarily move to a six-man rotation in September -- as it looks to give rookie Rafael Montero at least one more big league start down the stretch. For now, however, Montero will remain at Triple-A Las Vegas as the 51s begin postseason play.

Satin called up from Triple-A Las Vegas

MIAMI -- It's an exciting time at Triple-A Las Vegas, where the 51s are tied for the Pacific Coast League's best record and postseason play looms. But it's still the Minor Leagues.

"I would rather be here," infielder Josh Satin said, laughing on Monday morning at Marlins Park.

The Mets officially recalled Satin on Monday, rewarding him for his .386 on-base percentage and .825 OPS in 100 games at Las Vegas. A clubhouse favorite and a lock for the big league roster heading into Spring Training, Satin struggled at the beginning of the season and quickly lost his bench job to Eric Campbell.

He has been working his way back ever since.

"Anytime you can be back in the big leagues, it's obviously rewarding," said Satin, who will serve mostly as a right-handed pinch-hitter in September. "This season hasn't gone as planned. It's been tough. It's been a grind. But I came out every day in Triple-A, worked hard, out hitting early every day just trying to get back here. It's a lot of hard work and sometimes it feels like you're not being rewarded. But to be back here definitely feels good."

Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyDicomo. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.